Semi-rigid beverage receptable

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to drinkware and in particular to drinkware formed from pliable materials, such as silicone. When used in the present invention, the flexibility of the silicone material differentiates the new drinkware from existing drinkware in a number of ways. First, the novel drinkware is pliable, foldable and bendable, so that it can safely travel without fear of breakage or injury. Furthermore, the form will always return to its original shape, and there will be no wear, tear or fatigue to the material, thereby enabling the drinkware to be stored in a smaller space than that required by drinkware formed from rigid materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage receptacle for storing and dispensing beverages, the beverage receptacle comprising:
 a body member having
 a base portion, 
 at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall and the base portion defining a cavity, and 
 wherein the at least one sidewall is made substantially of silicone and is smooth along a path from at least one point at the proximal end of said sidewall adjacent said base portion to a second point at the distal end of said sidewall. 
   
     
     
         2 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sidewall is entirely of silicone. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion is made substantially of silicone. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 2 , wherein the base portion is made entirely of silicone. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the silicone is food-grade silicone. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 4 , wherein the silicone is food-grade silicone. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion is circular in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 7 , wherein the body member is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage receptacle is in the shape of a pint glass. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the sidewall is substantially smooth. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 10 , wherein the outer surface of the sidewall has a grip-enhancing texture. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is substantially translucent. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall comprises at least one decorative element. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage receptacle is in the shape of a mug. 
     
     
         16 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage receptacle is in the shape of a wine glass. 
     
     
         17 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage receptacle is in the shape of a shot glass. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage receptacle is in the shape of a tumbler. 
     
     
         19 . The beverage receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein said path is a straight line.